There is a strong social narrative that pregnancy and parenthood should be a time filled with new connection, a strong sense of community, and abundant social support. In reality many parents can feel incredibly lonely and disconnected.
In this episode, Lynsey and Chrissy are joined by Dr Kate Adlington to discuss the emotional, social, and existential facets of loneliness and the specific issue of loneliness in the perinatal period. What drives it? What is the relationship between loneliness and mental illness? And what can be done about it?
Key references and resources:

• Loneliness Conceptual Review (What Works Centre for Wellbeing, 2019)
• “Juts snap out of it” - the experience of loneliness in women with perinatal depression: a meta synthesis of qualitative studies (Adlington et al, 2023)
• Solutions to perinatal loneliness (Naughton-Doe, 2024)
• Video - Where is the village that was promised? (Naughton-Doe, 2024) *content warning - reference to perinatal loss*
• Guardian article - It felt shameful: the profound loneliness of modern motherhood (Jones, 2024)

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website will help you to find support in your local area.